NIFTy 3 – Numerical Information Field Theory: A Python Framework for Multicomponent Signal Inference on HPC Clusters

NIFTy , “Numerical Information Field Theory,” is a software framework designed to ease the development and implementation of field inference algorithms. Field equations are formulated independently of the underlying spatial geometry allowing the user to focus on the algorithmic design. Under the hood, NIFTy ensures that the discretization of the implemented equations is consistent. This enables the user to prototype an algorithm rapidly in 1D and then apply it to high‐dimensional real‐world problems. This paper introduces NIFTy  3, a major upgrade to the original NIFTy  framework. NIFTy  3 allows the user to run inference algorithms on massively parallel high performance computing clusters without changing the implementation of the field equations. It supports n‐dimensional Cartesian spaces, spherical spaces, power spaces, and product spaces as well as transforms to their harmonic counterparts. Furthermore, NIFTy  3 is able to handle non‐scalar fields, such as vector or tensor fields. The functionality and performance of the software package is demonstrated with example code, which implements a mock inference inspired by a real‐world algorithm from the realm of information field theory. NIFTy  3 is open‐source software available under the GNU General Public License v3 (GPL‐3) at https://gitlab.mpcdf.mpg.de/ift/NIFTy/tree/NIFTy_3 .     

Is it True That the Normal Valence‐Length Correlation Is Irrelevant for Metal–Metal Bonds?

The most intriguing feature of metal–metal bonds in inorganic compounds is an apparent lack of correlation between the bond order and the bond length. In this study, we combine a variety of literature data obtained by quantum chemistry and our results based on the empirical bond valence model (BVM), to confirm for the first time the existence of a normal exponential correlation between the effective bond order (EBO) and the length of the metal–metal bonds. The difference between the EBO and the formal bond order is attributed to steric conflict between the (TM)_n cluster (TM=transition metal) and its environment. This conflict, affected mainly by structural type, should cause high lattice strains, but electron redistribution around TM atoms, evident from the BVM calculations, results in a full or partial strain relaxation.     

Effective removal of 4-Aminophenol from aqueous environment by pea (Pisum sativum) shells activated with sulfuric acid: Characterization,isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics

The threat of phenol contamination in aquatic ecosystems is significant for the health of the earth's water systems as well as all humans on it. The present study was conducted to synthesize a cost-effective adsorbent (pea shells activated with sulfuric acid, PSASA) from agriculture waste (pea shells) and its use for effective removal of toxic 4-Aminophenol (4-AP). Newly designed PSASA exhibited significant adsorption of 4-AP which was confirmed by SEM, FT-IR, and XRD analysis. Surface topography confirmed high unevenness of the PSASA surface and the macroporous feature of the PSASA was confirmed by BET analysis. . Multiple testing was done to see how various factors affected adsorption such as adsorbent dose, temperature, pH, PZC, the effect of KCl and urea addition and the effect of the initial concentration of 4-AP. A drop in adsorption uptake of 4-AP was observed as the temperature increases from 25 °C to 45 °C. Maximum adsorption uptake (q_m) was found to be 106.11 mg/g at an optimum pH of 7.0 and 25 °C. Among various adsorption isotherm models tested, Langmuir Isotherm gave the best explanation with high R² values of experimental data. The pseudo-first-order model was found to explain the kinetics of adsorption well. The thermodynamic finding confirms the adsorption process was physical and exothermic. The adsorption of 4-AP was primarily governed by electrostatic interaction, hydrogen-bonding and π-π exchange mechanism. Because of the positive outcomes of the present research, we can use the PSASA as a cost-effective adsorbent for removing phenolic compounds.     

Efficient Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from a Discrete Hybrid Bismuth Bromide Ferroelectric Templated by Phosphonium Cation

Bismuth containing hybrid molecular ferroelectrics are receiving tremendous attention in recent years owing to their stable and non-toxic composition. However, these perovskite-like structures are primarily limited to ammonium cations. Herein, we report a new phosphonium based discrete perovskite-like hybrid ferroelectric with a formula [Me(Ph)₃P]₃[Bi₂Br₉] ( MTPBB ) and its mechanical energy harvesting capability. The Polarization-Electric field (P-E) measurements resulted in a well-defined ferroelectric hysteresis loop with a remnant polarization value of 2.1 μC cm⁻². Piezoresponse force microscopy experiments enabled visualization of the ferroelectric domain structure and evaluation of the piezoelectric strain coefficient (d₃₃) for an MTPBB single crystal and thin film sample. Furthermore, flexible devices incorporating MTPBB in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix at various concentrations were fabricated and explored for their mechanical energy harvesting properties. The champion device with 20 wt % of MTPBB in PDMS rendered a maximum peak-to-peak open-circuit voltage of 22.9 V and a maximum power density of 7 μW cm⁻² at an optimal load of 4 MΩ. Moreover, the potential of MTPBB -based devices in low power electronics was demonstrated by storing the harvested energy in various electrolytic capacitors.     

Probing Electronic Symmetry Reduction during Charge Migration via Time-Resolved X-Ray Diffraction

The present work focuses on probing ultrafast charge migration after symmetry-breaking excitation using ultrashort laser pulses. LiCN is chosen as prototypical system because it can be oriented in the laboratory frame and it possesses optically-accessible charge transfer states at low energies. The charge migration is simulated within the hybrid time-dependent density functional theory/configuration interaction framework. Time-resolved electronic current densities and simulated time-resolved x-ray diffraction signals are used to unravel the mechanism of charge migration. Our simulations demonstrate that specific choices of laser polarization lead to a control over the symmetry of the induced charge migration. Moreover, time-resolved x-ray diffraction signals are shown to encode transient symmetry reduction at intermediate times.     

The synthesis,structure, and electrochemical properties of Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeSiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-based lithium-accumulating electrode material

Different approaches to synthesis of Li₂FeSiO₄-based electrode materials for lithium intercalation, using low-cost and abundant Li-, Si-, and Fe-containing parent substances, are discussed. XRD, SEM, and a laser-diffraction analyzer of particle size were used for structure and morphology characterization of the composite electrode materials. Li₂FeSiO₄ was shown to be the main lithium-accumulating crystalline phase; minor LiFeO₂ and Li₂SiO₃ admixtures are also present. The material microparticles’ average size was shown to vary from tenths of micrometer to 1 μm. Larger objects sized ca. 2–4 μm are the microparticles’ agglomerates. The material electrochemical properties were studied by dc chronopotentiometry (galvanostatic charging–discharging) and cyclic voltammetry with potential linear sweeping. The initial reversible cycled capacity of the best samples is 170 mA h/g. The anodic and cathodic processes manifest obvious hysteresis caused by the presence of several different lithium ion energy states in the material; the transition between the states is kinetically hindered. The dependences of the specific capacity and its stability under cycling on the current load and the conductive carbon component content in the composite were elucidated.     

Recent Advancements on Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Resveratrol in Tumor Microenvironment

Immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment is emerging as an important area of research for the treatment of cancer patients. Several synthetic and natural agents are being investigated for their ability to enhance the immunogenic responses of immune cells present in the tumor microenvironment to impede tumor cell growth and dissemination. Among them, resveratrol, a stilbenoid found in red grapes and many other natural sources, has been studied extensively. Importantly, resveratrol has been shown to possess activity against various human diseases, including cancer. Mechanistically, resveratrol has been shown to regulate an array of signaling pathways and processes involving oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and several anticancer effects. Furthermore, recent research suggests that resveratrol can regulate various cellular signaling events including immune cell regulation, cytokines/chemokines secretion, and the expression of several other immune-related genes. In this review, we have summarized recent findings on resveratrol’s effects on immune regulatory cells and associated signaling in various cancer types. Numerous immunomodulatory effects of resveratrol suggest it may be useful in combination with other cancer therapies including immunotherapy for effective cancer management.     

DIFFUSION MEASUREMENTS IN MICROEMULSIONS

We have carried out diffusion coefficient measurements in both aqueous micelles and microemulsions using the techniques of palaeography and quasielastic light scattering (QLS) The former method involves the determination of the diffusion coefficient of an electroactive oil soluble probe at a polarizable microelectrode. For high water content microemulsions, both methods yield the same diffusion coefficients, which can be identified as the self diffusion coefficient For cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles, both methods yield the same result at the salt (NaBr) concentration at which the QLS measurements are independent of CTAB concentration. In more concentrated microemulsions, QLS data gave diffusion coefficients in agreement with polarography only for a sodium cetyl sulfate (SCS) system at 65-75 wt % water. For the SCS microemulsions at 60% water, and CTAB microemulsion at 60-75% water, the QLS data yielded rapid, nonexponential decays. However, consistent polarographic diffusion coefficients could still be obtained, By using probes of varying chain length (oil solubility), it has been demonstrated that these CTAB and SCS microemulsions containing butanol and pentanol cosurfactants respectively, are not cosolubilized systems but do contain distinct hydrophilic and hydropobic regions.